Fix Atari Controllers
Read through the instructions carefully before attempting. Also read the disclaimer.
List of Controllers
NOTE If your controller still does not function after doing these procedures the problem may be caused by a break in the controller cord. Best Electronics sells replacement cords for a reasonable price. Give them a call and they can hook you up. Some soldering is required to replace the cord but it is relatively simple.
How-To Fix Atari 2600 Driving Controllers
Atari's Driving controllers are unique in that they allow complete 360 free motion. Unfortunately the only Atari game to takes advantage of this was Indy 500. They use a weird rotating disc which has a habit of becoming a collector of grime and dust.
Note this repair is only for the enclosed driving controller. That is the rotating disc is inside a separate housing. Fixing the other kind of driving controller would be similar to this method.
Step 1:
Flip your driving controller over and use a philips screwdriver to remove the 2 screws. Make sure you don't lose erm.
Step 2:
Remove the now lose back panel to reveal the secrets of the driver controller.
Step 3:
Turn the controller back over and give the knob a good tug. It should pop right off.
Step 4:
Remove the nut and washer with some needle noise pliers. Then remove all the guts and lay them on your work area.
Step 5:
This is the part that houses the rotating disc and what we are going to take apart next.
Step 6:
There are 2 little tabs that look like this on both sides of the enclosure. Pull them back with your pliers and pop the enclosure apart.
Step 7:
This is how it should look on the inside. The rotating disc is on the left and the pick-ups are on the right.
Step 8:
Clean the rotating disc with some cotton swabs and rubbing alcohol. Make sure the rubbing alcohol is rated at 90% or more. Anything lower will leave a film.
Eww look at all the dirt.
Step 9:
Don't forget to clean the pickups as well. Use the same method as you did on the Rotating disc but make sure the the swabs don't get caught and rip on the pickups.
Step 10:
After the pickups are clean, bend them upwards. This will improve the connection between them and the disc.
Step 11:
Stick the disc enclosure back together and place all the parts into the controller housing. Attach the rear panel and put the screws back in. Take care not to pinch any of the wires.
How-To Fix Atari 2600 Paddle Controllers
Atari's Paddle controllers use a potentiometer to register the position of the dial and sends the resistance level back to the Atari. My set was apparently own by the Sims back in the day.
Step 1:
Flip your paddle controller over and use a philips screwdriver to remove the 2 screws. Put them off to the side to make sure your carpet doesn't swallow them whole.
Step 2:
Remove the now lose back panel to reveal the insides of the paddle controllers. The potentiometer and fire button are in clear view now.
Step 3:
Turn the controller back over and give the knob a good tug. It should pop right off.
Step 4:
Remove the nut with a wrench then remove all the guts and lay them on your work area.
Step 5:
This is the potentiometer, the part that we will take apart next.
Step 6:
To remove the cover of the potentiometer, place your pliers on the tab and pull it outward.
Step 7:
How the tab should look once you bend it.
Step 8:
The insides of the potentiometer. Make sure not to lose any of them.
Step 9:
Cleaning the potentiometer. Use 90% or higher rubbing alcohol to reduce the film build-up. Atari liked to use this graphite paste that tends to collect dust which gums the controllers up.
Step 10:
Cleaning the pick-ups on the shaft. Make sure not to get the swap caught on the pick-ups.
Step 11:
After cleaning the insides, it is time to reassemble the unit.
Step 12:
Step 13:
Before you place the housing back on the potentiometer, make sure the notch inside of the housing is facing downward, towards the solder points on the potentiometer. The notch keeps the potentiometer from rotating all the way around.
Step 14:
With the housing on, you can now bend the tabs inward to hold it together.
Step 15:
How everything should be placed in the enclosure. Tighten the nut that holds the potentiometer in place and stick the back of the enclosure on the controller. Screw it back together and pop the knob back on.
